CN111149260B

CN111149260B - Contact with press-fit fastener

Info

Publication number: CN111149260B
Application number: CN201880061599.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·D·帕里什
Original assignee: Interplex Industries Inc
Current assignee: Interplex Industries Inc
Priority date: 2017-09-28
Filing date: 2018-09-24
Publication date: 2021-10-08
Anticipated expiration: 2038-09-24
Also published as: CN111149260A; US11095057B2; US20200280144A1; EP3688844A1; WO2019067347A1; EP3688844B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a conductive contact including a fastening portion integrally coupled between a body and a tapered lead-in portion. The fastening portion is adapted to be press-fitted into a hole of a substrate such as a printed circuit board. The fastening portion includes a pair of column beams with a web bonded therebetween. The web has a central portion disposed between a pair of ramp portions. Each ramp portion has an inclined planar surface. The central portion has an opening extending therethrough and is offset in a normal direction. The fastening portion is configured such that, when press-fitting the fastening portion into the hole of the substrate, the pillar beam deflects both laterally and angularly.

Description

Contact with press-fit fastener

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application requires application numbers filed 2017, 9, 28, 35u.s.c. § 119 (e): 62/564,573 and application number filed on 8.1.2018: 62/614,640, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an electrical contact, and more particularly, to an electrical contact having a fastener adapted to press fit into a hole of a substrate, such as a Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

Background

In electronic systems that utilize one or more PCBs, the PCBs are typically electrically connected to other electrical devices (e.g., other PCBs) by electrical connectors. In many cases, an electrical connector will utilize a plurality of contacts, each having at least one end secured in a conductive (plated) hole of a PCB. Such ends may be secured within the plated holes by welding or by resilient fasteners. In the latter case, the resilient fastener is often referred to as a press-fit fastener.

Conventionally, press-fit fasteners are plastically and elastically deformed when inserted into a PCB hole. This deformation may create a retention force that retains the fastener in the PCB hole. A number of different types of configurations have been used for fasteners, one of which is referred to as an "eye of needle" (EON) type of configuration. In this type of configuration, an opening or perforation is formed in the fastener to define a pair of post beams that are resiliently movable toward and away from each other to apply a normal force to the PCB aperture. Another type of construction for fasteners utilizes column beams connected together by webs that allow the column beams to roll inward to conform to the PCB holes.

Conventional EON press fit fasteners provide limited contact area with plated holes of PCBs, while conventional web press fit fasteners are difficult to manufacture and can experience large plastic deformation. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved press-fit fastener that is easy to manufacture and that has an increased contact area with plated holes of a PCB.

Disclosure of Invention

An electrically conductive contact is disclosed. The contact includes a conductive body and a lead-in portion having a tapered tip. The fastening portion is integrally coupled between the main body and the introduction portion. The fastening portion has a longitudinal axis and is adapted to be press-fitted into a hole of a substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The fastening portion includes a pair of post beams extending in a direction of the longitudinal axis between the main body and the lead-in portion. The column beam has a thickness in a normal direction, a midpoint of the thickness being disposed in a plane extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis. The web is joined between the pair of column beams. At least a portion of the web is offset in a normal direction such that the portion does not intersect the plane. The fastening portion is configured such that, when press-fitting the fastening portion into the hole of the base plate, the pillar beam pivots inward about an axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

In one aspect of the disclosure, one or more openings extend through the web in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fastening portion. The one or more openings do not intersect the plane.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the web has a central portion disposed between a pair of ramp portions. Each ramp portion has a flat surface disposed at an angle to the plane. The central portion is offset in a normal direction such that the central portion does not intersect the plane.

Drawings

The features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

figure 1 shows a plan view of a portion of a contact of a first embodiment having a fastening portion;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of a contact;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the first embodiment of the contact shown in FIG. 2;

figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening portion;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a contact positioned over a hole in a printed circuit board;

6a, 6b, 6c show cross-sectional views of fastening portions provided in different sized PCB holes;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a contact disposed in a hole in a printed circuit board;

figure 8 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the contact;

figure 9 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the contact;

figure 10 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the fastening portion;

figure 11 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the fastening portion;

figure 12 shows a plan view of a third embodiment of the fastening portion;

figure 13 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the fastening portion;

figure 14 shows a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the fastening portion;

figure 15 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the fastening portion; and

fig. 16 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the fastening portion.

Detailed Description

It should be noted that in the detailed description that follows, like parts have like reference numerals, regardless of whether they are shown in different embodiments of the present disclosure. It should also be noted that for the sake of clarity and brevity, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the disclosure may be shown in schematic form.

Spatially relative terms, such as "top," "bottom," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

Referring now to fig. 1, there is shown a portion of a contact 10 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The contact 10 has a unitary or monolithic structure and includes a fastening portion 14 integrally joined between a body 16 and an lead-in portion 18. As will be described more fully below, the securing portion 14 is adapted to be inserted and retained within a plated hole 92 (shown in fig. 5 and 7) in the PCB90 so as to form a secure electrical connection therewith. The configuration of the body 16 depends on the particular application of the contact 10. Thus, the body 16 may have many different configurations.

A common application for the contact 10 may be a simple pin terminal. For this general application, the contacts may take the form of an embodiment, indicated by reference numeral 10a, which is shown in fig. 2 and 3 and to which reference is now made. In the contact 10a, the body may take the form of the embodiment represented by reference numeral 16a, which includes an elongated pin 26 adapted to be inserted into a female connector (not shown) for electrical connection. The pins 26 have free ends 28 remote from the fastening portion 14, which free ends 28 are tapered to facilitate insertion. Depending on the particular application, the pins 26 may have one or more retention structures (not shown) arranged around the circumference of the pins 26. The retention structure may be used to secure a pin to a connector housing or other type of component or part. A shoulder 30 may be joined to pin 26, the shoulder 30 being proximate to the securing portion 14. Shoulder 30 provides a surface against which a force may be applied to insert fastening portion 14 into hole 92 of PCB90 or other substrate (base).

The contact 10a may be formed from a length of metal wire having a rectangular cross-section, or from flat stock. The size of the wire or flat stock used depends on the application of the contact 10 a. However, the configuration of the contact 10a is well suited for producing small contacts 10a with small size wires (e.g., wires having a diameter or width of less than 0.018 inches). Although the contacts 10a and their method of manufacture are well suited for this application, it should be understood that they may be used in other applications where larger size wires are used or where flat stock is used to produce different size contacts 10 a. For example, wire or flat stock having a width of 0.018 inches or more (e.g., 0.025 inches or 0.045 inches), or any other size suitable for a particular application such as use in a PCB, may be used. A contact 10a for a typical PCB application having a keyhole will have a securing portion 14 with a width (undeformed) in the range of about 0.016 inches (0.4mm) to about 0.024 inches (0.6mm) of the securing portion 14.

Referring back to fig. 1, and now also to fig. 4 and 5, lead-in 18 includes a solid outer tip 32. The tip 32 is tapered to have opposing major surfaces and opposing minor surfaces that are inclined toward each other to form a blunt point. The taper of the tip 32 facilitates insertion of the securing portion 14 into a hole in the PCB. The tip 32 is adjacent a top surface 36 and an opposite bottom surface (not shown) that are parallel to each other and extend in the longitudinal direction.

The fastening portion 14 has a longitudinal axis L and a pair of elongate column beams 40 arranged parallel to each other in the lateral direction. The beam 40 extends between the body 16 and the lead-in 18 in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The beam 40 is bent or bowed laterally outward from the lead-in 18 so that the maximum width of the fastening portion 14 in the lateral direction is greater than the maximum width of the lead-in 18. Each of the beams 40 has an upper surface 42 and a lower surface 44 extending between the body 16 and the lead-in 18. In each column beam 40, an upper surface 42 and a lower surface 44 define a thickness T of the column beam 40. The midpoint M of the thickness T is disposed in a reference plane P extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

Each column beam 40 also has an outboard surface 46 and an inboard surface 48. An outboard surface 46 is bonded between the upper surface 42 and the lower surface 44, and an inboard surface 48 is bonded between the upper surface 42 and the web 50. An outer side surface 46 and an inner side surface 48 extend between the body 16 and the lead-in 18 and are joined to the outer side surface 46 at rounded edges, respectively. The outer side surface 46 is also joined to the lower surface 44 at a rounded edge. Each outer side surface 46 has a central portion disposed between an inner portion and an outer portion in the direction of the longitudinal axis. In the direction of the longitudinal axis, the outer portion and the inner portion are to a very small extent curved, while the central portion is substantially straight. Like the outer side surfaces, each inner side surface 48 has a central portion 48a disposed between an inner portion 48b and an outer portion 48c in the direction of the longitudinal axis. In the direction of the longitudinal axis, the outer portion 48c and the inner portion 48b are arcuate, while the central portion 48a is substantially straight. In this manner, the inner side surfaces 48 generally define the contour of the canoe when viewed from the top, and thus provide the web 50 with the shape of the canoe.

The web 50 extends laterally between the two column beams 40 and longitudinally along the length of the column beams 40. The opposite edges of the web 50 are joined to the inner surface 48 of the pillar beam 40 in a rounded curved shape. The web 50 has a central portion 66 disposed between an inner ramp portion 68 and an outer ramp portion 70. The length of the inner and

outer ramps

68, 70 in the direction of the longitudinal axis is approximately the same, while the central portion 66 is longer, typically about 1.4 to about 2.4 times the length of the inner ramp 68 (or outer ramp 70). In one embodiment, the inner ramp portion 68 and the outer ramp portion 70 are each greater than half the length of the central portion 66.

The central portion 66 has a flat top surface 74 extending in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis. The inner wall defines a perforation or opening 78 extending through the central portion 66 toward the outer ramp portion 70. The openings 78 may be circular holes, slots, or other opening shapes. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the inner wall, and thus the opening 78, each has an elongated oval shape. The opening 78 extends through the web 50 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the reference plane P. The central portion 66 (including the inner wall and the opening 78) is disposed below the reference plane P of the fastening portion 14. In other words, the central portion 66 of the web 50 is offset in the normal direction and disposed toward the lower surface 44 of the column beam 40.

The inner ramp portion 68 of the web 50 is disposed between the body 16 and the central portion 66, while the outer ramp 70 portion of the web 50 is disposed between the central portion 66 and the lead-in portion 18. As the inner ramp portion 68 extends from the body 16 toward the central portion 66, a top surface 80 of the inner ramp portion 68 slopes downward, and as the outer ramp portion 70 extends from the central portion 66 toward the lead-in portion 18, a top surface 82 of the outer ramp portion 70 slopes upward. The top surface 80 of the inner ramp portion 68 is flat and has a slope of about 20 degrees. The top surface 82 of the outer ramp 70 is also flat and has a slope of about 20 degrees. The bottom surface 84 of the web 50 is concave and (seamlessly) merges between the upwardly sloping lower surfaces 44 of the column beams 40. In this way, the bottom of the fastening portion 14 is also concave.

The above-described configuration of the fastening portion 14 provides the fastening portion 14 with the ability to elastically deform in the lateral direction and angle. The opening and thinness of the webs 50 allow the column beams 40 to resiliently move toward and away from each other in the lateral direction when a laterally inward force is applied to the column beams 40. The configuration of the web 50, due to its canoe shape and offset center section 66, allows the column beam 40 to pivot inwardly about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis when a laterally inward force is applied to the column beam 40. The amount of lateral and angular deformation that occurs when a laterally inward force is applied to the column beam 40 varies in the direction of the longitudinal axis due to the inner ramps 68 and the outer ramps 70. The web 50 decreases in thickness as the inner and

outer ramps

68, 70 extend toward the central portion 66, which allows for increased lateral and pivotal movement of the column beam 40. In this way, the fastening portion 14 has a deformation profile in the direction of the longitudinal axis in which the amount of deformation (in the lateral direction and in the angle) of the fastening portion 14 increases as the fastening portion 14 extends from the introduction portion 18 to the opening 78, and is greatest at the opening 78, and then decreases as the fastening portion 14 extends from the opening 78 to the main body 16. In this regard, it should be noted that the location of the opening 78 proximate the outer ramp 70 allows for a reduction in peak insertion force when the entire width of the fastening portion 14 is first contacted by the PCB hole, thereby reducing the buckling force transmitted to the body 16.

It should be appreciated that the deformation characteristics of the fastening portion 14 (including its deformation profile) may be modified or adjusted to better suit a particular application or to accommodate or utilize a particular manufacturing process. For example, the position of the opening 78 may be changed and/or its size modified to reduce or increase its length and/or reduce its width; this modification changes the mechanical properties of the fastening portion 14. For example, increasing the length of the opening 78 tends to reduce the insertion and retention forces required. Additionally, the length, shape, and slope of the inner and

outer ramps

68, 70 may also be modified. In addition, a plurality of openings may be formed in the web 50. Further illustrative embodiments having a plurality and differently arranged openings are described below.

The operation of the contact 10 will now be described more fully with respect to securing the contact 10 to the PCB 90. As shown in fig. 5, lead-in 18 is aligned over plated hole 92 in PCB 90. The aperture 92 is defined by a continuous inner wall 94 of the PCB 90. A downward force is applied to the body 16 of the contact 10, such as to the shoulder 30. The lead-in portion 18 is easily inserted into the hole 92 followed by the fastening portion 14. Since the securing portion 14 is laterally wider than the diameter of the hole 92, the arcuate outer side surface 46 of the post beam 40 contacts the inner wall 94 of the PCB90, thereby converting some of the downward force into an inward lateral force. These lateral forces cause the column beams 40 to move laterally inward toward each other, i.e., the fastening portions 14 deform laterally inward. In addition, the inward force causes the pillar beam 40 to pivot inward about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis, i.e., the fastening portion 14 is angularly deformed. The lateral and angular deformation of the fastening portion 14 allows the fastening portion 14 to enter and be securely disposed within the aperture 92. Inside the hole 92, the beam 40 applies a laterally outward force to the inner wall 94. In addition, the spar 40 applies an angled force (components of which include lateral and normal forces) to the inner wall 94. The force exerted by the beam 40 frictionally secures the fastening portion 14 within the aperture 92.

The deformation of the fastening portion 14 in different sized PCB holes is shown in fig. 6a, 6b, 6c, reference is now made to fig. 6a, 6b, 6 c. Fig. 6a shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening portion 14 arranged in a PCB hole 92a, which PCB hole 92a has a maximum diameter with respect to the nominal size of the fastening portion 14. As shown in fig. 6a, the fastening portion 14 has only a small amount of deformation. Fig. 6b shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening portion 14 arranged in a PCB hole 92b, which PCB hole 92b has a nominal diameter with respect to the nominal size of the fastening portion 14. As shown in fig. 6b, the fastening portion 14 has been significantly deformed both laterally and angularly. The column beams 40 have been moved laterally inwardly towards each other so that the width of the web 50 between the column beams 40 is reduced. In addition, the column beams 40 have been pivoted inwardly toward one another such that the upper space between the tops of the inboard surfaces 48 of the column beams 40 is reduced by an amount greater than the width of the web 50. In fact, the upper space is now only slightly larger than the width of the web 50. Fig. 6c shows a cross-sectional view of the fastening portion 14 arranged in a PCB hole 92c, which PCB hole 92c has a minimum diameter with respect to the nominal size of the fastening portion 14. As shown in fig. 6c, the fastening portion 14 has been significantly deformed, in particular in angle. The column beams 40 have been moved laterally inwardly towards each other so that the width of the web 50 between the column beams 40 is slightly reduced. However, the column beams 40 have been pivoted significantly inwards towards each other, so that the upper space is significantly reduced. In fact, the upper space is now less than half the width of the web 50.

Referring now to fig. 7, the contact 10 is shown mounted to a PCB 90. Most (substantial part) of the fastening portion 14 is disposed in the hole 92. The pillar beam 40 deforms both laterally and angularly. Due to their deformation, the two beams 40 engage most of the length of the inner wall 94. This enhanced frictional engagement increases the retention force securing the securing portion 14 in the aperture 92.

Referring now to fig. 8, a contact 10b constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The contact 10b generally includes a body 16b coupled to a plurality of fastening portions 14. The body 16b includes a shoulder 100, the shoulder 100 being joined to an elongated blade 102 having opposed flat surfaces and an inclined free end.

Referring now to fig. 9, a contact 10c constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The contact 10c includes a body 16c coupled between two fastening structures 14. The body 16c includes a shoulder 106, the shoulder 106 being coupled between a first end of the elongated blade 108 and a first one of the fastening portions 14. The second end of the blade 108 is joined to a second one of the fastening portions 14. The blade 108 includes opposing planar surfaces.

It should be understood that the body 16 may have configurations other than the

bodies

16a, 16b, 16c shown and described above. For example, the body 16 may have a tuning fork configuration, or may be bent at a right angle, or have any other type of configuration.

Referring now to fig. 10-15, there is shown a contact (designated by reference numerals 110a, b, c) having the same construction as the contact 10, except that the contacts 110a, b, c have fastening portions (designated by reference numerals 114a, b, c) instead of the fastening portions 14. In the same manner as the fastening portion 14, each fastening portion 114a, b, c is integrally joined between the main body 16 and the introduction portion 18. Each fastening portion 114a, b, c has a similar configuration to fastening portion 14, except for the differences described below.

Each fastening portion 114a, b, c has a column beam 116, column beam 116 being similar to column beam 40 except that each column beam 116 has an inboard surface 118 instead of inboard surface 48. The inboard surface 118 is bonded between the upper surface 42 and the web 120. Both lateral side surface 46 and medial side surface 118 extend between body 16 and lead-in 18 and are joined to lateral side surface 46 at rounded edges, respectively. In the direction of the longitudinal axis, medial surface 118 is substantially linear (straight) as is medial surface 48, as opposed to being substantially arcuate.

The web 120 extends laterally between the two column beams 116 and longitudinally along the length of the column beams 116. The opposite edges of web 120 are bonded to inboard surface 118 of beam 116. The web 120 has a central portion 122, the central portion 122 being disposed between inner and outer ramped

portions

124, 126. The inner ramp portion 124 of the web 120 is disposed between the body 16 and the central portion 122, while the outer ramp portion 126 of the web 120 is disposed between the central portion 122 and the lead-in portion 18. The top surface of the inner ramp portion 124 slopes downwardly as the inner ramp portion 124 extends from the main body 16 to the central portion 122, and the top surface of the outer ramp portion 126 slopes upwardly as the outer ramp portion 126 extends from the central portion 122 to the lead-in portion 18. The outer ramp 126 is substantially smaller than the inner ramp 124.

The central portion 122 has a flat top surface extending in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis. One or more perforations or openings extend through the central portion 122 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the reference plane P. The number of openings may be one, two, three, four or more. In addition, the opening may be circular, oval or any other suitable shape. In embodiments having multiple openings, the openings may be the same or different in shape. For purposes of illustration and not limitation, embodiments having different opening configurations are shown in fig. 10 and 11, fig. 12 and 13, and fig. 14 and 15, respectively.

In fig. 10 and 11, the fastening portion 114a of the contact 110a is shown as having a first perforation or opening 130 and a second perforation or opening 132 extending through the central portion 122. The first opening 130 has an elliptical shape and is disposed proximate the outer ramp 126, while the second opening 132 has a circular shape and is disposed proximate the inner ramp 124. The first opening 130 is substantially larger than the second opening 132.

In fig. 12 and 13, the fastening portion 114b of the contact 110b is shown as having a pair of second openings 132 extending through the central portion 122. One of the second openings 132 is disposed proximate the inner ramp 124 and another of the second openings 132 is disposed proximate the outer ramp 126.

In fig. 14 and 15, the securing portion 114c of the contact 110c is shown as having a single third opening 134 extending through the central portion 122. The third opening 134 has a circular shape and is disposed adjacent to the outer ramp portion 126. The diameter of the third opening 134 is smaller than the diameter of the circular second opening 132.

Referring now to fig. 16, the central portion 122 (including the opening therein) is shown disposed below the reference plane P of the fastening portion 114 a. In other words, the central portion 122 of the web 120 is offset in the normal direction and disposed toward the lower surface 44 of the column beam 116.

It should be understood that while the foregoing description focuses on contacts for making connections with conductive vias of a PCB, the embodiments described may be generally applicable to any component that requires a press fit into an opening. It should be further understood that the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments is illustrative only and not exhaustive. Those of ordinary skill will be able to make certain additions, deletions, and/or modifications to the embodiments of the disclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit of the disclosure or its scope.

Claims

1. An electrically conductive contact for mounting to a substrate having a hole formed therein, the contact comprising:

a conductive body;

a lead-in portion having a tapered tip;

a fastening portion integrally incorporated between the main body and the introduction portion and adapted to be press-fitted into a hole of the base plate, the fastening portion having an opening extending therethrough in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fastening portion, the fastening portion including:

a pair of column beams extending between the body and the lead-in a direction of the longitudinal axis, the column beams having a thickness in a normal direction, and a midpoint of the thickness being disposed in a first plane extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and

a web bonded between the pair of column beams, the web having a first surface and a second surface, the opening extending through the first surface and the second surface, the first surface having a portion that is longitudinally inclined toward the opening, and the second surface being concave in cross-section, at least a portion of the web being offset in a normal direction such that the opening does not intersect the first plane; and is

Wherein the fastening portion is configured such that, when the fastening portion is press fitted into the hole of the base plate, the pillar beam pivots inwardly about an axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.

2. The contact of claim 1, wherein the securing portions are configured such that the beam beams move laterally inward toward each other when the securing portions are press fit into the apertures of the substrate.

3. The contact according to claim 1, wherein the fastening portion has a first side and a second side disposed opposite each other in a normal direction, and wherein the web comprises:

an inner ramp portion disposed between the body and the opening, the first surface of the web sloping in the inner ramp portion toward the second side as the inner ramp portion extends toward the opening; and

an outer ramp portion disposed between the opening and the lead-in, the first surface of the web sloping in the outer ramp portion toward the first side as the outer ramp portion extends toward the lead-in.

4. The contact of claim 3, wherein the web further comprises a central portion joined between the inner and outer ramp portions, the first surface of the web extending in a second plane parallel to the longitudinal axis in the central portion.

5. The contact of claim 4, wherein the opening extends through a central portion of the web.

6. The contact of claim 3, wherein the first surface of the web is planar in the inner ramp portion and the first surface of the web is planar in the outer ramp portion.

7. The contact of claim 3, wherein the beam bows outwardly from the lead-in and has an inner surface and an outer surface.

8. The contact of claim 7, wherein each of the inner surfaces of the beam has a central portion disposed between an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion disposed toward the body and the outer portion disposed toward the lead-in, and wherein in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the central portion is substantially straight and the inner and outer portions are arcuate.

9. The contact of claim 1, wherein the fastening portion has a plurality of openings extending therethrough in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the fastening portion, and wherein the openings extend through portions of the web offset along a normal direction such that the openings do not intersect the first plane.

10. The contact of claim 1, wherein the web has a central portion disposed between a pair of ramp portions, the pair of ramp portions including longitudinally inclined portions of the first surface that are flat and respectively disposed at an angle to the first plane, and wherein the central portion is offset in a normal direction such that the central portion does not intersect the first plane.

11. The contact of claim 10, wherein a plurality of openings extend through a central portion of the web.

12. The contact of claim 11, wherein a first opening is disposed proximate a first one of the ramp portions and a second opening is disposed proximate a second one of the ramp portions, and wherein the first surface of the web is flat between the first and second openings and in a second plane parallel to the longitudinal axis.

13. The contact of claim 11, wherein at least one of the openings is circular.

14. The contact of claim 13, wherein one of the openings is circular and one of the openings is oval.

15. The contact according to claim 10, wherein the longitudinally inclined portions of the first surface in the ramp portion are each disposed at an angle of about 20 degrees.

16. The contact of claim 1, wherein the body comprises an elongated pin joined to a shoulder, and wherein the pin has a circular cross-section.

17. The contact of claim 1, wherein the body includes a shoulder joined to an elongated blade having opposed flat surfaces and a beveled free end.

18. The contact according to claim 1, wherein the lead-in portion is one of a plurality of lead-in portions and the fastening portion is one of a plurality of fastening portions, and wherein the body is bonded to each of the fastening portions and each lead-in portion is bonded to one of the fastening portions.

19. The contact of claim 1, wherein the contact is comprised of a copper alloy.